Bottle closure



Sept. 19, 1939. c. J.y JEsNlG '2,173,570

BOTTLE cLosURE Original Filed July 27, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYyC. J. JESNIG Sept. h19, 1939.

BOTTLE CLOS URE Original Filed July 27, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2 5 5'/ 76Z0 A76 56 f' wz 35 1/ Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES BOTTLECLOSURE Charles J. Jesnig, Philadelphia, Par., ,assigner of one-half toTheodore G. Alteneder, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application July 27,

Renewed October 28, 1938'v 7 claims.

This invention relates to bottle closures, and particularly to closuresof the so-called non-rellable type.

This application constitutes a continuation-inpart of application No.7565021, led December 5, 1934, and now abandoned.

So farfas-known in bottle closures as previously developed it has notbeen possible to provide a non-iellable device which was of suchsimplicity, economy, ruggedness and attractiveness in aspect as to haveany appreciable commercial appeal. It has Vbeen found,v moreover, thatin most of the devices developed heretofore the bottles could berefilled, despite the alleged nonrellable nature thereof, by subjectingthe lbottles to the action of a vacuum, and by introducing substitutefiuid to the evacuated bottle under a slight head.

It is among the objects of this invention; to improve the art ofclosures for bottles; to improve the art of bottles; to provide aclosure for bottles or other receptacles which is possessed ofsimplicity, economy and ruggedness; to provide a bottle closure of asubstantially non-refillable nature that will withstand the effects ofevacuation by automatically closing the bottle against the entry of thesupposed relling fluid, or by preventing its pouring out after it haslbeen illegitimately refilled; to provide a novel bottle arranged forVassociation with a closure device; to .provide a bottle closure with avalve which is closed in all positions other than pouring; to provide avalve in a bottle closure arranged Vfor automaticclosing if anattempt ismade to refill the bottle; to provide a closure for bottles that willclose automatically upon any attempt to evacuate the bottle and whichfunctions substantially regardless of the amount of liquid in the bottleat the time; to improve the capclosure of bottles; to provide improvedmeans to indicate the fact that a bottle has been opened; to provide avalve mechanism so arranged that with the valve seated throughdifferential air preseures effective on the valve, the valve may bemoved axially Vthrough appreciable distances without unseating thevalve; to provide a bottle closure with sealing means arranged toprevent undesired rotation of the threaded closure cap; to `provide asealing valve structure in a preserving jar lid to enable evacuation forpreserving purposes; to provide improved tops for mason jars and thelike for preserving purposes; to improve closures for receptacleswhereby tampering will be positively indicated; to provide-a rupturableseal for a movable closure cap applicable 1935, Serial No. 335450 tobothremovable and `non-removable caps; and

many other objects and advantages will .become more apparent as thedescription proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings;

Fig. 1 representsa fragmentary elevation of a bottle closed withapreferred form of closure,

Fig. 2 represents a fragmentary elevation of the end of the bottle neckWith which the preferred formof closure is to be associated,

Fig. 3 represents afragment'ary section partially in elevation of thebottle neckand 'associated parts in closed position,

Fig. 4 represents an Aenlarged vertical section through the end of thebottle showing the relation of' all of the working parts in closednonpouring position,

Fig. 5 represents a similar sectional view through the bottle andclosure with the parts in open and pouring relative position,

Fig. 6 represents a detached elevation of the movable-valve .element ofthe invention,

Fig. `7 represents afragmentary diagrammatic section .through one sideof the Valvedevice with its seat to show the normal gravitationalseating of the valve,

Fig. \8 represents asimilar diagrammatic view of the same elements asFig. '7, with the valve shown seated under the influence -of fluidpressure on the outer surface of the valve,

Fig. `9 represents a similar diagrammatic view of the same elements asFig. 7, with the flexible margin of the valve shown seated by airor.fluid pressure-exerted upon the flexible valve element, while outwardurging pressure, suchas a surge of liquid Within the bottle, has beeneffective to move the cylindrical valve element axially outwardly to alimited extent, short of actual unsealing of the flexible element,

Fig. 10 represents a fragmentary elevation of a closure cap having aform modified from that of Fig. 1, for sealing the closure to thebottle,

Fig. Il represents a fragmentary transverse section through the bottleneck of Fig. 10, to illustrate the bendable or tongued sealing elementand its relation to 'the thread groove of the bottle.

Figs. 12 and 13 representV respectively a similar fragmentary elevationand section of a modified form of sealingelement for the closure andneck,

Figs. 14 and 15 represent respectively a similar fragmentary elevationand section of a further modified bottle and closure having a dimpled ordepressed seal element,

Figs. 16 and 17 represent respectively a similar fragmentary elevationand section of a still further modied bottle and closure havingcooperating sealing elements, but with the closure such as might be madedetachable from the neck, if desired, and

Fig. 18 represents a side elevation partially in section of a jarclosure, of the Mason jar type, having a valve element similar to thatshown in the other figures.

Referring now to the preferred form of bottle closure, it will beunderstood, referring to Fig. 2, that there will be provided a neck I0,preferably having a bead I I, to retard manipulations on the end of theouter closure cap, and having the indented or grooved thread |2 or pairof diametrically spaced threads I2, disposed in the cylindrical portion9 of the neck, and each terminating at its upper end in a shoulder I3.Preferably below the grooved thread, and above the bead Il, there isprovided the pair of diametrically spaced peripheral grooves I4 havingdivergent angular relation to the helical thread groves and of ratherappreciable length. As will be explained the length ofthe transversenon-inclined recess |4 is each such as to permit a safety clearance -oneach end, for the subsequent indentation or forming of the sealing plugto be described. Preferably each sealing groove I4 has a sharp upperandjrighthand margin Where it is formed in the glass 'of' the neck.Above the upper termination I3 of lI Jhefhje'lical grooves, on theoutside of the neck,V theperipheral annular groove I5 is formed. This'gr'ove'servestwo functions, one, to be described, andtheotherto form abreak in continuity betweenthe'outer;diameter of the neck portionjhavingjtlie' thread' grooves formed in it, and theslightly reduced`rirnpomrtion IS. VThe difference inthe respective diameter/sissubstantially the" thickness' offthe WallerY the inner cap tob'e"des'cribed.j Therim portion endsjin the rim or lip Il faeainstiwhch,'the' ,sealing `element,V t0 be' described,4 ,is axially: ierlsdldel$11.011 pres,- Isure asY t0 161.05 iandLSeel thgbtle Irnally thev neck'emerges ifromf thel 'bottle with vva passage .surface .l'lwhrchfmerseteilw ,anmllal'internal 'shoulder I8, andthen expands tojfor-1`rr` theenlarged relatively short internal `Substa'rrtially cylindrical' surface,8jxnergingfinlothey voutwardly 'tering -011iererins'fcpenins 'extendingie Vthe ,It will beilrrdestpodtt the'upper Surface '0f thelshoulderi|13v 'is siibstaltiallyf ifi 'lineY Wit-11th@ .ioue'rlsrouldery ,formelebifffheiuricrion of rim portion Iii` andlsrmvet 1.5;;.Qrirea`r1y ,'SQand iS a'stepiirrthe manufacturing processi "Oflhe'bdttle Ithatisjvery"mportan .1'; The provision vof the an- 'jarigcvefl'excellerltlyServesthe purpose O'ffcnrcirie .rsqueezins the. mlienglass inwardly `during themolding'to Vform` the: internal 'shoulder AI8. It l,will be understqo'dgtl''at While avcontinuous annular Shlderijl's:, ,=,cntemp1ated*ar1d,1S" preferre'cl', yet itv may. be iirrterrupd'SMS GQ cmpri'se inleffect 'a .spider 'oriqt'h'er' :Series .or pluralityvof spaced"supportingjlugs Knot/shown) ,ifv desired. Itwill' be.lunser.stod that 'the inner" neck. S111'- fa'celf2; may-ibs"(substantiallyjcylindrical from ,thej slfiofulcfl'er.18: yto tli'ejrimj'|,"but preferably it nasa" greater or ds'ree .Qfflare :or Outwardtaper.' Vin, I accordance ywithjrequirements;fboth 4'as tothe' necessarystrensth'othe b0t151e1"i1r1;v pour- 'ns'j Speed-desired Qfr'oni`thefrieck', ,and s0. on; and

. i'siu'sually a maresme". 'or' 'Cylindrical 'extent 18 'adjacent'to'the shoulder I3, turning vinto the out- 4Wardly .flaredcr ,taperedp'otlollfl iust'bove the frictiorral Washer of the i valve` insert f to"bei de- "SC-I'irbed; l, r- *ff-:1, l. `V

" f The valve insertH rassembly is 'Welrslrovvn' in Figs. 4 and 5 and isdisposed as a unit which substantially comprises a cylindrical sleevevalve device having lateral ports, a valve seat and valve guide withreference to which the sleeve valve has axial movement, and a flexibleWasher device mounted on the cylindrical portion having a marginalportion in position to flex axially in both directions and to overliethe valve seat. Reiinements and details will become more apparent as thedescription proceeds.

Referring to Fig. 4 a valve guide housing comprising a short tubularshank portion 2| defining a valve opening is provided merging into atransverse flange or seat 22, which latter in turn merges into the shortcylindrical sleeve 23 the axis of which is substantially concentric Withthe axis of the guide housing 2|. The valve seat 22 may under certainconditions comprise a mere plane substantially perpendicular to the axisof the guide housing 2|, but it is preferred that it have an annularridge, crest or peak portion 24 raised out of the plane of the seat 22,and which peak is transversely curved and is preferably arcuate in crosssection and is disposed so that the guide surface internally of theguide housing 2| merges into the peaked seat 24 as a substantial tangentthereto. It will be clear that thearrangement described and as shown,provides an apex or annular peak on thevalve seat, which is laterallyspaced from the'guide surface of housing 2 I. IThis spacingis ofimportance, as is the generally curved nature of the peaked portion ofthe seat, for reasons to be described.

It Will be obvious that with satisfactory molding conditions, asubstantial reproduction of the guide housing 2|, lateral valve seat 22and short larger cylindrical sleeve 23 could be formed in the neck ofthe bottle, from the inner'surface shoulder I8, suitably formed, andtapering surface 2li. Thus, under certain circumstances, a cheaperproduct could be provided by which the parts, just described, could beobviated as a separate insert as shown in Fig. `18. However, owinglltfotlieuncertainties of molding, among other disadvantagesthe insertvalve assembly as thus far described?ispreferred.

ffhelgu'idefh'l ing andvalve seat described as aj'separate'nurn ,may becompleted by the provi- LsioriMof-:a closure-cap--device 25 having anupper 4planeA closure Y surface'j` 426 preferably closed thronghoutyitsentire area;r having' the peripheral -por'tsf2lj'just beneatlithe'upper, -transverse closed lend-,j ffandf-having an argedjoffflsetcylindrical Sleeve iS-fjarreneed, i'tionellif' Slidinsly emjbracethecylindricaljsle've23fof fthe -valveV housins: arditoremairileeked*ihereiriihithfouehfriction.. any 'other desired: drmfpf,.lek- "The 301ejsure Y device is notapplieduntil'- after theA movable"veli/. elementfiabe :described isrst installed in 'the assemblythe?Closure pis., rigida', engaged updrrtheousiegrit ,forms a baseer insertdcvice'whih ,ani brmarleuleted andv installed Liri thetnek: siunit-f"Theiurli' is completedby the provision ,ofj anfrretallic; disc or PlateWasher ilarins i'tietibutsldiiis ft Drenthe reduced' lWashers-3 I is"engaged 'axially betweenwthe J Vdisc i washer and the lower surfaceofthe valve seat portion 22, and, preferably-'the lower edge of theenlarged cylindrical sleeve 28. With the valve housing assembly inoperativeposition in the bottle neck in engagement withthe internal.surface of the neck at 8, and engaging shoulder I8, it will be clearthat there is provision for a slight axial yielding of the assembly tofacilitate seating of the outer bottleclosure to be described tomaintain its seal, but this yielding is sharply limited owing to the-fact that the resilient washer 3l has such restricted area into whichto ow under axial pressure. It can yield slightly to such axial pressureto increase its transverse or lateral frictional engagement with thesurfaces it is supposed to seal (the bottle neck and the valve housing),but it cannot, preferably, be susceptible to continued inward axialmovement thereafter.

The valve device itself, that is the'movable element, comprises asubstantially cylindrical tubular plunger or valve shank 32 of suchexternal diameter as to have easy sliding t within the valve guide 2l(or the internal bottle surface Il if the shoulder VI8 is used as thevalve seat itself). The plunger preferably has one end closed as at 33and is provided with an axial separate or integral rivet or the like 34,upon the outer diameter of which the ilexible resilient washer orflexible flange is mounted, overlying the outer surface of the closedend, and which is held in place by a metallic plate washer 35 seatedupon the rivet and of substantially the same outer diameter as andforming in effect an extension of the plunger 32. The end of the rivet34 is swaged or otherwise upset as at 3l to force the plate washer 36against the resilient washer. Obviously the plunger or piston valvedevice can be formed in any other desired manner, asthe only'essentialis that the flexible washer 35, which is preferably quite thin, have `aperipheral marginal portion SSB which is capable of free `flexing inboth axial directions. The plunger has peripheral ports` 4G throughwhich, as shown in Fig. 5, the liquid in the container can pass when theports inthe i movable device are in substantial registration with fixedports 21 in the cage inthe no-rmal proper operation of the bottleassembly.

When the plunger or' movable valve device is disposed in the cageassembly in sliding relation to the housing, the normal gravitationalfunctioning that ensues' is the downward sliding of the movable elementsuntil the ports 4D are below the level of the valve seat so that egressV(or ingress) of fluids through the ports 40 is precluded by the closingof the ports by the'cylindrical housing 2l. Such relative liquidmovement is also prevented by the fact that the marginal flexibleportion 33 of the washer 35 `engages axially upon the peak 24 of theseat 22 of the valve, as the only support of the movable sleeveor-plunger. As shown in Fig. 4, and in the fragmentary diagrammaticshowing of Fig. 7, the axially flexible margin 38 of the sealing washer35 engages the 24 in appreciably spaced relation -to the outer wallsurface of the movable plunger `32, and this space or clearance ispreferably as wide as is reasonably convenient to provide, for reasonsto be described, and in the rst instance upholds the plunger againstgravity bythe resistof the flexible margin to shear and compressionstrains, and toits inherent resistance to Obviously with a thin washerespeciaily adapted for flexing of its marginal portion, it hasrelatively small rigidity so that the actual position assumed by theparts is not really as shown in Figs. 11 and 7, but somewhat betweenthe-showings of! Figs. '7 and A8. In Fig. 8 the plungerisshown in anextreme inward position in which the flexible washer still prevents theplunger from'falling inwardly, through resistance of the Washer toshearing strains, and through the fact that the iouter diameter of thetop plate 36 is vcloseenoughto that of the `cylinder 32 that themarginal '.portion A38 of the washer cannot be bentiinto a`cy1inder, theouter diameter of which is substantially the same as that of plunger 32.Owing -to 'the lightnesss of the parts used in the preferred form thenormal gravitational aspect of the assembly will be less extreme than asshown in Fig. 8.

It should be notedithat the inner substantially cylindrical surfaceofthe entire cage assembly has justsuch clearance from the outerperiphery of the marginal flexible portion as to bel possesssed of asort of piston and cylinder relation, and especially so belowthe cageports 2l, for reasons to be explained. Y

Before describing the functional benefits of the valve constructionshown, the remainder of the cooperating parts of the device should per-I haps be described.- Referring to Fig. `4., it will be observed thatthe closure device per s'e comprises an inner cap comprising asubstantially cylindrical sleeve portion 42 arranged for a sliding buttight o-r snug twwith the reduced rim portion I6 of the neck I0, andwhich is disposed for axial movement only, in the preferred form. Thismay be enhanced'byforcing the thin cylinder 42 to conform to a slightlyoval neck portion I6. The sleeve 42 merges into a transverse inwardlydirected perpendicular plane portion 43, which latter merges in turn, bythe axial inward extension 44, in to the reduced cylindrical spoutportion 45. `The inner cap -may be protected againstefforts to pry intothe interior with wires and the like, by the mesh or reticulatedmetallic screen '46, preferablyhaving the outer ange 4l, and the annularrecessed lportion 48 to fit into the recessed end formed by lthe annularinward extension 44, and is cemented or otherwise anchored within thevcap. The sealing gasket 5U of any desired material andof any desirablethickness is cemented or-glued or otherwise secured to extendlaterally-outwardly to sealingengagernent with the inner surface of thecylinder 42 or flange 41 of the mesh material, and inwardly to theyaperture 5l forming a surface that engages in part at least the axialinward extension 44 or the mesh in contact therewith. The axial inwardextension is preferably provided to prevent the entry of lluid, possiblycontaining solvents such as alcohol, beneath the sealing gasket, topermit its detachment. It also serves to prevent the entry o'f fluidsinto the exposed cut portions ofthe gasket exposed at the aperture 5I,to a large extent, and obviously it can have such size and proportionsas best Ito serve the desired ends. The function -of the spout inpouring liquids from thebottle will'be'apparent from Fig. 5. The innercap is arranged for axial movement only, in the preferredform, by meansof a rotatable outer cap 52, having sliding engagement with the outersurface of the cylinder 42 of the `inner cap, and vwith the outersurface of the The outer upper outer surface Aof the viiange o'rtransverse plane portion of the inner cap and has a reduced smaller endembracing slidibly thev end of the spout 45, and secured thereto by thespun over or swaged end 56 of the spout. It will be observed that theouter cap can rotate in either direction relative to the inner cap whenthe latter is frictionally engaging the bottle, but that any axialmovement of the outer cap forces the inner cap, to move axially with it,and thus to move between sealing and unsealing position.

Obviously the outer cap may have threads formed in it to engage overexternal threads upon the bottle neck, but for several reasons thethreads are preferred to be grooves disposed in the neck of the bottle,as it thus furnishes a solid corner or shoulder of glass for a purposeto be described, and enables' the maintenance of a smooth exterior ofthe outer cap such that its embellishment and decoration as desired isfacilitated and the visual aspect improved. To both thread the outer capto the bottle and also secure it in place when threaded, it is butnecessary to indent a lug 51, or a pair of such lugs, into therespective thread grooves, by drawing the metal so that it cannot becrowded back into its original place in the periphery of the cylinder,and the cap is threaded to the bottle and cannot be removed because thelug 5'! engages a positive abutment I3 comprised of the shoulder I3 atthe upper end of the thread groove in the bottle neck. The outer capbeing thus lockable onto the bottle, it will be clear that, with thebottle filled with liquid, and the valve insert assembly as shownmounted withinthe bottle neck, then screwing the cap downwardly willforcethe inner cap axially to force the gasket 50 into sealingengagement with both the central valve cage assembly and the rim Il ofthe bottle. A reversed motion of the outer cap will apply pressureaxially outwardly of the spout 45 effective upon the swaging 5S tounseat the inner cap and gasket. to the position shown in Fig. 5, topermit normal pouring from the bottle. 'Ihe pouring will be preceded bythe unseating of the valve plunger, the lifting of the flexible washerfrom its valve seat, the moving of the ports 40 above the valve seat,and the free pouring of the liquid in the path of the arrows of Fig. 5,from the pouring spout 45. When pouring has stopped and the bottle hasbeen set upon its base, the small amount of liquid-contained `in thespace between the rim and the valve assembly will be trapped therein,usually, to maintain a liquid seal upon the flexible washer as thelatter gravitationally closes.

Referring to Fig. 18, there is disclosed the threaded top 8D of a Masonjar or the like usually made of a single piece of metal having the moreor less plane top 8 l, and threaded peripheral flange 82, and in use ona threadedglass jar or the like (not shown) having a gasket 83 to engagethe upper rim of the jar to sealthe joint. The successful use of suchjars and tops for preserving purposes involves the exhaustion of airfrom the containers. While it is recognized that there have been otherattempts to provide forms of valves in such jar tops, yet these havebeenof great cost, and of dubious merit, owing totheir inability to maintaina` seal even under quiet conditions, much less in the presence of abruptmanipulations of the containers, such as might be incident, forinstance,to dropping -a crate thereof from a truck body.

To establish and preserve a seal at a low cost the top 8l (Fig. 18) ofthe jar cover 80, is provided with the axially drawn valve seatstructure comprising the short cylindrical guide 84, open at the top andbottom in a guide or valve opening, merging into the valve seat 85, theannular peak of which is outwardly or radially spaced from the internalguide surface of the guide 84, and which valve seat merges into theenlarged cylindrical wall 86, forming `a valve chamber, as acontinuation of the top wall 8|. Obviously instead of the integral drawnmember shown, the valve seat and guide could be a separate element,soldered or otherwise secured to the jar top.

The valve element proper, of the jar top of Fig. 18, comprises acylindrical element or shank 8l, having preferably a loose slidingengagement inthe guiding sleeve 84, and closed at the upper end by awall 88, and swaged or upset at its lower end as at 98 to preventundesired outward movement of the valve in the guide housing. The valveelement 8l has a reduced port 9| to permit ldesired restricted airmovement for venting gas pressure from within the container. to thespace between the shank and the guide surface and thus to the contactline between the annular valve seatcrest and the superposed flexibleflange, and carries a washer or flexible flange 35 having the flexiblemarginal or flange portions 38, functioning: relative to the valve seatexactly as the flexible washer of the bottles function, as has been andwill be described.v 'Ihe flexible washer is secured rmly in place by adished or otherwise shaped guard 92 having an inner part 93, of the samediameter, substantially, as, and forming in effect an extension of, thevalve cylinder 81, and a raised outer ring 94 forming a housing andprying element having relatively small clearance from the walls 86forming the valve housing and held in place as by a rivet 95. It will beclear that after the jars are filled with the foodstuffs or the like,and the lids or tops are screwed on, then the jars may -be placed inboiling water to sterilize the contents and cause the entrapped air `toexpand with a consequent increase in pressure, which will unseat thevalve and flexible washer or flange to permit escape of air through port9|. Obviously, as will be explained in connection with the bottles andwhich also maintains as to Fig. 18, any return movement of fluid,whether liquid or gas will cause the sudden snapping shut of the valve.Alternatively, a suction devicev may be applied to exhaust the air inthe jar, and to seal the valve automatically upon breaking the suctionand admitting atmospheric pressure to the outside ofthe jar valve. Thevalve may be pried open` by a knife, or the like, inserted under theedge of the guard 92. Any other sort of device desired can be used tobreak the seal and admit air through the valve when desired, as forinstance by forming a ring or head on rivet 95, which can be pulled toinsure a direct axial pull on the valve, in place of the eccentricthrust of the pry under guard 92.

lt will be apparent that with the matter thus far disclosed there is nomeans discussed for indicating the fact that a bottle has once beenopened. Furthermore it will be clear that the threaded assemblydisclosed may be subjected to jarring and the like in transit that, insporadic cases, may cause slight rotative movement such as to permitseepage lfrom the bottle. To protect against this and to provide animproved seal and indicator of tampering with the bottle is an importantobject of this invention.

It will be understood in the preferred form of the invention, the filledbottle is provided with installations.

a valve insert, whichV is substantially seated on its shoulder I8, andthat the` compound cap of the invention, comprisingtheooupled inner andouter cap members, is pushed on axially with such pressure as may bedesired, and with the gasket U in sealing engagement with both thecompressible axial insert andthe rim Il, the thread lugs 51 aresimultaneously formed on diametrically opposite sides of the outer capand pushed and drawn inwardly to lie in and be in mesh with the indentedthread or threads l2 of the bottle at some point between its end or itsrespective ends, if the threads are plural. At the same time,preferably, that the tool moves forward to force lugs or abutments 51out of the peripheral extent of the outer cap, a tool (not shown) movesforward to force lines of scoring B-l-Fig. 4) about an indented sealingbutton or tongue 6I, bent inwardly out ofthe Vperipheral extentof theouter cap cylinder to lie in intimate frictional relation with thecooperating surfaceV of the peripheral external slot I4, which isparallel tothe plane of rim I'I, and of greater length, preferably, thanthe button 6I, so that exact lining upof the button between narrowlimits of shoulders is obviated.

Itis to be observed thattheperipheral external slot or groove I4, has a`divergent angular relation to the helical thread groove I2, so that withthe slightest eiort to rotate the outer cap the button 6I is given adownward pressure from the upper shoulder of the groove I4, such as totear the buttonl loose from Lits'weakened connection with the outer cap52 andfitpwillbe-forced outwardly through its scored. apertureito aApoint of complete severance from the cylinder' 52 of the outer cap. Itwill be observed that button 6I by reason of its being forced intoindented seated relation in arcuate slot I4 has been extrudedfor drawnor caused to flow sothat it is hardened somewhat and made relativelybrittle'to serve two desired ends. First is to prevent its beingunlawfully pulled out 'into the original arcuate extent of the bottlewith intent to'deceive observers by subsequently being indented againpursuant to eiforts to rell the bottles. This latter of course is onlycontemplated if the cap Aassembly shown should be used'without the valveinsert combination such as is`contemplate'd in certain types ofSecondly, theA indentation, or drawn or dimpled button '6I, is asubstantial continuation, an integral portion, of the closure cap properand can be instantly observed to be intact or to be missing and thelatter serves visual notice that the cap has'been moved to pouringposition. The advantage ofthe drawn indented button, as shown, is thatit assistsin preventing manipulations'by external tools and ismore'easily and quickly observed. It will be understood that rotation ofthe cap to open' the bottle for pouring purposes will be accompanied bymovement' of the lugs 5l in grooves I2, until they vabut therespectivethread shouldersIB when the upward movement of the closure capterminates. Obviously at this time the rotation ofthe outer cap hasimparted axial movement to the'inner cap by means of the swedgedflange-56 so that the bottle, becomes' unsealed;

Referring to Figs. 10and 1l a modiiicationf'of the sealing ldevice iskindicated in that with all other portions of' the invention the same, atongue 62 is struckY inwardly from the arcuate extent of the closure ona line of scoring or weakening 63, preferably of such prole as to fitsnugly, in the bottom of groove I2 and to be bent into abuttingengagement with shoulder I3 in the end of groove I2. In this caseV there`is left an aperturelill. through which the observerY can note thepresence or absence of tongue 62 in lits abutting disposition. With thetongue or sealing lug tting snugly in the end of the'threaded groove itwill manifestly beV very dicult to manipulate same by tools suppliedexternally through the aperture 64. The tongue G2* is preferably sodisposed as to tenuousness of connecting link with the main body of thecylinder52 as tobe'broken and moved out of the aperture 64 upon theslightest attempt to-'bend it back intoany position'such as to permitshoulder I3 to slide past it in the rotative openingoi" the bottle.

In Figsj l2 andlS a further slight modification is shown in that thetongue 65. is struck in to leave aperture 36, with the tongue attachedby weakened connections with cylinder 52 and lying in substantialparallelism with thethreadgroove'v I2 so that the edgeof tongue 551s inposition to be engaged by shoulder I3 so thatl relative movementof'tongue and shoulder enhances the shearing function to force thetongue' B5 loose through shearing rather than mere bending as-in thecaseof the iorms'hovvn in Figs. 10 and 11.

In Figs. 14 and 15 there is: provided an indented, drawn, dimpled seal68 having a. Weakened line of scoring 'It and arranged to be vindentedto substantial'abutment with shoulder I3 of the thread groove andarranged to bel forced outwardly to leave an aperture when the seal hasbeen broken, 'but arrangedtoshow a continuation ofthe metal housing if`the seal has not been broken. It is believed .theoperation of this willbe understood.

In Figs. 16' and 17 there is'disclose'd a further modioation by whichthe ybenei'lts'of a' portion of the invention can be secured with a capwhichis removable from the bottle. As 'shown the bottle Y itself has ahelical indented' or other sort of groove` or thread 'II which hasnoupper terminationbelow vthe rim. In spaced 'relation'to it, at itslower` end, a recess l2 is provided. The cap I3 has either threads castin it tomesh with threads II vor has suitable lu'gsasin the other forms:described in this application so as to 'be axially removable by anunscrewing function. The cap'3'has'a scored and weakened'indented tongue'lll arranged to abut shoulder 15 formed at one edge of recess l2. Itwill' be clear that the cap 'I3 may be provided with the sealingdeviceshown or with any of thosealready .described lin connection withthepreferred embodimentof the invention so that'the cap I3 cannot beunscrewed for removal without iirst breakingaway the sealing tongue 74.There will obviously bev many other variations and modications' whichwill occur to those skilled in the art by which the'principles of thesealing devices, thus far described, may be utilized, and Vall such areto` be construed as within the scope of the instant invention.

It will be understood that with the complete assembled invention asdisclosed, the purchaser h'as a bottle `provided with a number ofsafeguards, which contribute to providing an outer closure of simplicityof design which cannot jar loose onitsth'reads in transit because'of theprovision of a sealing medium preventing either axial or rotativemovements or both, and which is doubly' sealed in the proper uprightposition by the fact that plunger 32 hangs down in guide 2l to close itsports 40,- which is` also accompanied seat peak 24 and by the engagementof the sealing gasket U with the rim Il of the bottle and the closuretop element 26 .of the insert. Unscrewing the outer cap, breaking theseal out to permit rotation, by rotation of the cap or by providingsupplemental manual tearing out tabs or the like (not shown) enablesaxial movement of the cap closureso. that gasket 5i) is moved axiallyaway from its seat on rim Il and cage end 26 to expose a passage throughcage ports 21, flaring passage 16, between the outwardly flared wallsurface 20 ofthe bottle and the inwardly tapered wall surface defined bythe retracted upper end 26 of the cage closure relative to the enlargedembracing cylindrical portion 28 thereof and which passage 'I6 is incommunicationwith the pouring spout 45. At this juncture, however, thegravity valve element or .plunger 32 remains in its closed position.Tilting .the bottle permits plunger element 32 to move axially in theguide 2| to move flexible -washer 38 off seat 22 and also to bring itsports 40 into position to register with the ports 21, and channel 'I6 topermit the uids in the bottle to pass out of thebottle. Termination ofthe pouring and returning of the bottle to upright lpo-sition marksinward and downward movement of the plunger32 to close both the slidingand poppet valves associated therewith. The few drops contained inpassage 16 and spout 45 will be trapped against reentry. Owing to thetight sliding axial .engagement of the inner cap 4| with the reducedcylindricalend I6 of the bottle, there will be practically no seepage orleakage of the iiuid in the pouring channeds at the time the pouringstops so that itcannot run down into and about the threads to leakageover the neck of the bottle as is common to most ofthe prior artdevices, so far as known.

Any .attempt to pour liquids into the bottle through spout 45 willinevitably result in failure, because of the fact that the valve 32remains closed. There has developed a technique of bootlegging, theessentialingredient of which is the subjecting of the bottle to theaction of a vacuum during or following the existence of which iiuid maybe caused to move upwardly through the inverted bottle neck into thebottle. Great success has been attained with filling bottles accordingto this procedure, according to the prior art, and it is a feature ofthis invention to preclude this mode of refilling the bottle, or atleast so substantially to minimize it as to render it impossible uponany commercial basis.

Referring to Figs. 4, 7, 8 and 9, it will be observed that the plunger32 and flexible washer 35 constitute a piston movable in the cylinder ofthe upper cage member so that when the air pressure effective upon theouter upper end of this piston is greater than the air pressure on theinner upper end of the piston, the piston snaps shut.. Regardless of thescientific reason for the activity it is a well established fact thatpursuant to an evacuation of the bottle by subjecting both sides of thevalve to less than atmospheric pressure while the bottle is held upsidedown so that the valve can fall open, this opening is terminated with asnap when it is sought to restore the bottle to normal atmosphericconditions externally. It will be understood that for all practicalpurposes the existence of differential air pressure on opposite sides offlexible valve 35, if the pressure externally is the greater, the valvewill be held tightly closed byair pressure effective over the entireouter area .of the piston and particularly effective upon the flexiblemargin 38 to cause it to tightly engage and seal itself upon the peak24.0f seat 22. As shown in Fig. '7 the gravitational seating of theflexible margin 38 may. be at a point spacedv appreciably from theguiding surface of guide 2|. W'hen there is an appreciable condition ofvacuum within the bottle, the greater external atmospheric pressure maycause the valve to be pulled inwardly so that the flexible margin 38rolls around the peak 24 to engage closer to the guiding surface 2|. Inthis relation, by the way, the thin flexible washer 38 holds theplunger` 32 into the bottle by squeezing of washer 38 between the outermargin of plate washer 36, and the valve seat 22 as shown in Fig. 8. Itmay have happened that some portion of liquid has been successfullyintroduced into the bottle at the time that the vacuum condition becameeffective to exert differential pressure on the valve and the bottle mayeven have been filled before the valve snapped shut.

It will be clear that with the bottle half filled, for instance, violentoscillations of the bottle could cause pounding surges of liquid withinthe bottle to be incident upon the inner face of the closed end 33 ofplunger 32 to develop violent unseating urges of the piston tending toforce washer 35 from the seat 22. This impact factor would probably beof considerable concern in any other type of valve closure than the onedisclosed. Owing to the air pressure effective on the outer face of thepiston valve forcing the flexible washer into sealing engagement withthe valve seat andowing to the fact thatthe peak of the valve seat isconsiderably spaced relative to the cylindrical guide wall 2|, there isthereby provided means whereby considerable axial movement of thecylindrical plunger 32 in both directions can occur while the airpressure is effective to force the thin flexible washer marginal portion38 against the rounded peak 24. In other words the outwardsurge ofliquid is driving against the excess air pressure trying to force itinwardly to the position shown in Fig. 8. Therefore the irst outwardimpulse is marked by absorption of Athe energy by the excess airpressure against which it must function. Continued application of thesurge of liuid energy after the valve has been pushed outwardly to theposition, shown for instance in Fig. 7, is marked by the continuedflexing of the marginal portion 38 while maintaining sealing engagementwith some portion of the peak 24, as shown in Fig. 9. There seems to bea sort of rolling action that occurs `when there is a vacuum in thebottle, and the plunger valve is subjected to outward urges, the rollingbeginning with the marginal portion 38 in contact with the peak 24rather close to the guide surface of guide 2|, as shown in Fig.8,.rolling outwardly radially to the position shown in Fig. '7, to anextreme outward roll of the contact area, as' shown in Fig. 9. In otherwords when the valve in the valve insert has once snappedshut because ofatmospheric pressure on oneside of the valve withV vacuum or smallerpressure inside of the bottle, it remains permanently sealed against theegress of any of the contents of the bottle.

It will be understood that all resilient washers, gaskets, flanges andthe like', will be made of suitable materials that are resistant toadverse chemical reactions from the iiuids in the containers. There isan alcohol-proof rubber now available-from which it is preferred tomanu-` facture the flexible washer 35 and the gasket 3l.

The features and advantages of the invention are thought to be clear.

I claim:

1. In receptacles, in combination, means having an integral valve seathaving an annular c-rest and a substantially concentric valve guidespaced from the crest, a cylindrical valve element in the guide andhaving a movable portion extending beyond the valve seat end thereof, aflange operatively associated with the said portion of the cylinder andhaving a margin capable of flexing in both axial directions and of suchdiameter as to overlie said crest and to sealingly engage said crest toseal the space between the crest and the valve element during variousconditions of flexing incident to movement of said portion.

2. In receptacles, a means having an integral valve seat and asubstantially concentric valve guide, a cylindrical valve elementslidabl-e in the guide and having a port, a washer operativelyassociated with the cylinder and having a margin arranged for iiexing inboth axial directions overlying said seat, said seat having an annularpeak radially appreciably spaced from the guide to establish clearancefor such marginal flexing.

3. In receptacles, means having an integral valve seat and asubstantially concentric valve guide, a cylindrical valve elementslidable in the guide, a flange operatively associated with the cylinderand having a margin arranged for ilexing in both axial directionsoverlying said seat, means anchoring said flange to the valve element toprevent undesired flexing of said margin away from said seat to maintainsealing engagement therewith, said seat having an annular peak radiallyappreciably spaced from the guide to establish clearance for suchmarginal flexing.

4. In receptacles, a means having an integral valve seat and asubstantially concentric valve guide, a cylindrical valve elementslidable in the guide and having a port, a washer operatively associatedwith the cylinder and having a margin arranged for flexing in both axialdirections overlying said seat, and means overlying said Washer toprevent undesired flexing of said margin away from said seat to maintainsealing engagement therewith, said last mentioned means comprising awasher having a dished prole with the smaller portion of substantiallythe same diameter as the cylindrical element and in engagement with thewasher, and with the larger portion overlying the seat in spacedrelation to said washer.

5. In closures for receptacles, a removable closure having a wall, arec-essed valve seat having a substantially concentric guide sleevedisposed in said wall, a valve cylinder slidable in said sleeve andhaving a portion disposed to abut the end of said sleeve in one axialposition, a washer mounted on said cylinder having a flexible margin inposition to engage said seat in another axial position of said cylinder,means forming a substantial extension of said cylinder on the oppositeside of said washer to prevent the flexible margin from flexing to apoint permitting the cylinder to pass out of the lower end of saidsleeve and undercut means facilitating prying the valve outwardlyrelative to said wall.

6. In closures, means defining a substantially cylindrical valve guide,a valve seat disposed concentric-ally of the valve guide having anannular peak spaced from the valve guide, the peak merging into theguide with a curved surface, valve means slidable in said guide, awasher carried by said valve means and comprising a re1- atively thinflexible margin overlying said peak and curved portion and so arrangedthat the washer margin can flex relative to said valve means toward andaway from said curved surface while maintaining contact with said peak.

7. A bottle closure comprising a bottle neck having an internal shoulderand an annular rim, a valve assembly comprising a cage and a cylindricalshank disposed in said neck in engagement with said shoulder, said cagehaving slots and a closed end, a valve element slidable in said shankand having ports arranged to register with said slots when the valve isopen, a flexible washer carried by said cylinder in position to engage aportion of said cage and to serve as an automatic closure device whenmoving uid is inc-ident upon the upper surface of said washer, and meansremovably engaging the cage and said rim to temporarily seal said neck.

CHARLES J. J ESNIG,

